Liverpool planning blockbuster move for Premier League midfielder | OneFootball

Liverpool weigh up Wharton move amid Crystal Palace resistance

Liverpool’s midfield rebuild remains a work in progress. According to Football Insider, the club are exploring the possibility of signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of the January transfer window. Yet sources close to the South London club insist Palace will block any approach this winter, underlining just how important the 21-year-old has become under Oliver Glasner.

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Wharton’s rapid rise at Palace

Wharton has emerged as one of the most exciting midfield prospects in the Premier League. His maturity in possession, ability to dictate tempo and defensive awareness have made him a standout performer in Palace’s midfield. “He’s a top player, so if he does become available it won’t just be Liverpool in the market for him, it’ll be most of the big clubs in the Premier League and top European clubs,” it was explained on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.

Palace are determined to keep him. With a contract running until 2029, Wharton’s future is secure, and the club are under no pressure to sell. The Eagles hierarchy, led by Steve Parish, have made it clear they will not entertain offers in January. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider: “Palace will reject any offers for Wharton in the mid-season window.”

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Palace stance shaped by Guehi saga

Liverpool’s attempts to sign Marc Guehi in the summer ultimately fell apart, with Palace pulling the plug late in negotiations. That decision set the tone for how they intend to protect their best assets. “They don’t want to lose Wharton, especially not in January because he would be a very difficult player for them to replace, so they’ll be doing everything they can to keep hold of him,” the podcast further noted.

Guehi himself has labelled Wharton “unbelievable”, a reflection of how highly he is regarded within the dressing room. Palace know that both Wharton and Guehi are attracting attention from across Europe, but the message is the same: they will not allow key players to leave mid-season.

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Liverpool’s transfer dilemma

For Liverpool, the interest in Wharton reflects the club’s ongoing need for fresh energy in midfield. Arne Slot has been clear that he wants reinforcements, but January is historically a difficult market. As one source put it: “We know January is a difficult window to do big deals as well, so I don’t see anything happening in January.”

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Wharton remains firmly on the radar, yet Liverpool may have to wait until the summer before any realistic negotiations can take place. Palace, buoyed by their FA Cup triumph last season and a Community Shield win over Liverpool, are intent on pushing forward with their strongest possible squad. Losing a talent like Wharton now would undermine those ambitions.

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Once again, the club are being linked with a player who would clearly improve the squad, but the timing looks all wrong. Palace’s position is understandable. Wharton is under a long contract, he is vital to their midfield, and replacing him in January would be nearly impossible. That being said, it raises questions about Liverpool’s approach.

If Wharton was on the radar last summer, why wait until now to seriously consider a move? By delaying, the club may find themselves paying a higher price or competing with more rivals, including Real Madrid and Manchester United. Supporters have seen this story before: hesitation leading to missed opportunities.

Wharton would add balance and long-term stability to a midfield that still feels like it needs another injection of defensive quality. But fans will be sceptical until Liverpool show they can act decisively. As one fan put it online, “Every window we’re told Liverpool are monitoring, considering, weighing up. At some point, we need to just sign the player.”

Until then, Wharton looks set to remain at Selhurst Park, and Liverpool’s midfield puzzle will go unsolved for another six months.